Pops patrons, bear this in mind: Celebrity Guest Conductor Jim Belushi is not here to have a ball. He’s here to have a blast.

“I’m all about having a blast,” Belushi said during a recent phone interview. “I don’t mean ball. I mean blast.”

Television-savvy folks will no doubt remember Belushi from his immensely popular show, According to Jim, and may have even been lucky enough to catch him onstage in productions such as Conversations With My Father, True West, and Moon Over Miami, or perhaps in movies such as Return to Me or The Principal.

That Belushi boasts some serious acting chops won’t come as much of a surprise to longtime fans, but what might is that the beloved funnyman is also a talented musician who fronts his own band, the Sacred Hearts.

It all began when Belushi was in high school and decided to try his luck in…choir?

“I took choir in high school,” Belushi said with a chuckle. “That’s what really taught me the appreciation for classical music and voice.”

After a beat, Belushi, no doubt with that endearingly sly smile, confesses the truth behind the choir choice.

“I only took choir because there were 40 girls and eight guys,” he said. “I like the numbers.”

Belushi originally hailed from Wheaton, IL, where he wowed teachers with his whip-smart improvisational skills, revealed during class speeches.

Said skills led to a foray into the drama club, which Belushi parlayed into a degree in speech and theater arts from Southern Illinois University.

He first gained notoriety as a member of the Chicago-based comedy troupe Second City, with his “big break” being his appearance in the film About Last Night.

Behind the scenes, when not devoting himself to wife Jennifer, sons Robert and Jared, and daughter Jamison, Belushi continued exploring his musical side with the Sacred Hearts and with dear friend Dan Akroyd as half of The Blues Brothers, made famous by the movie of the same name. Belushi performs as “Brother Zee.”

So how did Belushi, who now lives in Los Angeles, come to guest conduct the Pops? Well, it’s rather simple, really. The invitation came after a reading of “T’was the Night Before Christmas” with the Boston Pops at Christmas last year.

“I really enjoyed my time with the Boston Pops,” Belushi said. “Reading with a whole orchestra behind me, it was just so exciting. I was floating and I had so much fun doing that that when they asked me to do this guest conductor thing, I thought, ‘Yeah! You guys are a ball. Let’s do it.’”

Belushi seems a natural choice for the gig especially given his beloved everyman demeanor. Even when talking with a member of the media for the first time, his tone is that of ringing up an old pal.

“It’s Jim!” he announced. “How are ya?”

Belushi hopes to bring that aspect of his presence to his performance.

“I’ll bring a laugh or two,” he said. “But what do I wear? I’m kind of a shorts and tank top kinda guy.”

Belushi has been visiting this part of the country since 1979, residing primarily at a family home on Martha’s Vineyard.

Ironically, although he’s been a frequent East Coast visitor, he hasn’t really spent time on the Cape.

“In the 30 years I’ve been coming to Martha’s Vineyard I’ve only been to Cape Cod twice,” he said. “Once was the Volvo dealership, and once to see James Montgomery at the Melody Tent. I jammed with him there.”

This time, Belushi hopes to get a bit more out of his visit.

“I heard there was a really good lobster roll at Baxter’s, so I want to see how that lobster roll competes with the Chilmark Community Church lobster roll,” he said. “It’s the best lobster roll I’ve ever had.”

Belushi is also thrilled to be part of the 2012 Pops by the Sea.

“I’m only doing one number,” Belushi said. “I’m only going to be there for a moment, but I’m really looking forward to the joyous gathering.”

Read more about the 27th Annual TD Bank Pops By the Sea in the Patriot’s “P.S.” supplement in this issue.